Between, May 12-21, we were lucky enough to go on a Habitat for Humanity building trip in Guatemala.  A month or so after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Hurricane Stan pummeled Guatemala from both coasts (Pacific and Caribbean).  Roughly the size of Ohio, the country was heavily hit with torrential rains, mudslides, and destructive winds.  To help the hundreds of people who were homeless after the storm, the village of San Juan, where we were working, worked with Habitat to create a "colonia", a collection of 20 lots with homes to be built.  The families are currently living in what they call "hell", a neighborhood of tents made of PVC pipe and plastic wrap.  The tents are literally touching each other, and house up to seven members of a family.  There is one hole in the ground to be used by hundreds of people as a restroom, and pipes rigged to pass as a shower.

So instead of working with one family and home at a time, we were lucky to get to know many families who were going to soon reside in the "colonia." 

The houses we worked on are made of cinderblock and mortar, with tin roofs.  The "colonia" was a joyous place to be, with children running around, families all pitching in to help, and most of all, making friends with the Guatemalans.  We worked on several different houses doing several different jobs -- sifting sand to make cement, placing mortar between bricks, and tying rebar to create the structures of the homes.

We found the Guatemalans to be exceptionally friendly and welcoming, and nearly all are Christians, so we could relate with them on a very special level.  The "colonia" looked very different the day we left than the day we had arrived -- one house was completely finished, several others ready for their roofs, and lots had been cleared to place new foundations.

Though they thanked us profusely for our help, we were given more than we gave.  We were welcomed into their cultures, their homes, and their hearts. 

We are grateful for the time we had there, and miss it now that we are back into our everyday lives!  Though we understand that there is much work to be done in our own country, we are reminded of the Great Commission in the16th Chapter of Matthew:   "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." 

Thank you for all your prayers during our trip!